Readers here know just how big of a Superman fan I've always been, and that's largely why I'm thrilled to share that it's often been fairly widely conjectured that June 18th is the official date wherein the baby Kal-El crashed down onto our world, landing very near to the Kent farm. Now, I realize that the date is speculative -- as is Superman's greater history open to some greater theorizing -- so I'll just provide a link right here which does summarize some of the important dates in greater DC History. I acknowledge it as such, and I'm making it today's SciFi Highlight. Read on, my friends, read on!
Character actor John Warburton -- shown above alongside Mark Lenard from Star Trek's "Balance Of Terror" -- maintains the SciFi distinction of playing one of the very first Romulans known to mankind. (Sure, it's fictional, but it still counts for something!) Though he's no longer with us, Warburton was born on this day in 1899. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Llewellyn Rees played the 'President' aboard "The Deadly Assassin," a mid-1970's serial of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Rees was born on this day in 1901. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Keye Luke managed to squeeze an impressive 222 credits into his talent-filled existence, oft times catching the eye of genre fans who might not remember his name. While a fair portion of his work was in voice acting, he still showed us he had the right moves in such programs as The Green Hornet, Star Trek, Dr. Shrinker, Voyagers, Faerie Tale Theatre, Gremlins (1984), Superboy, and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). Though he's no longer with us, Luke was born on this day in 1904. [Source: IMDB.com]
When Superman first appeared in the popular radio serial -- The Adventures Of Superman -- in 1940, it was the sterling voice of one Bud Collyer who voiced both the Man of Steel and his Earthly alter ego 'Clark Kent.' Though he's no longer with us, Collyer was born on this day in 1908. [Source: IMDB.com]
While Superman was off making whoopie with Lois Lane, E.G. Marshall played the President of the United States forced to surrender to three Kryptonian villains aboard Superman II (1980). Though he's no longer with us, Marshall was born on this day in 1914. [Source: IMDB.com]
Most folks know Richard Boone as the man who played 'Paladin' of Have Gun - Will Travel (a truly awesome show in its own right) fame from the glory days of television, but I remember his appearance in the 1977 actioner The Last Dinosaur. Though he's no longer with us, Boone was born on this day in 1917. [Source: IMDB.com]
Among other things, Wesley Lau enjoyed a pair of visits to the Golden Age of Television aboard Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. He also turned up in One Step Beyond, The Time Tunnel, Land Of The Giants, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Though he's no longer with us, Lau was born on this day in 1921. [Source: IMDB.com]
Robert Ellenstein certainly brought an air of gravitas to his portrayal of the Federation Council President aboard the popular Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). Though he's no longer with us, Ellenstein was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hungarian-born actress Eva Bartok enjoyed her brush with the Final Frontier with a leading role aboard Spaceways (1953) for Hammer Films. Though she's no longer with us, Bartok was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
That grim-faced Imperial officer from Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is none other than actor Michael Sheard. As Admiral Ozzel, he offended the Dark Lord of the Sith one too many times, and I believe he was the first one Force-choked to death in TESB, though he wasn't the last. He also had several appearances as several characters in the long-running BBC juggernaut, Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Sheard was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Born on this day back in 1942, Nick Tate has had a rather impressive acting career contributing to sci-fi. Of course, he's probably best known as Alan Carter from Space:1999, but he's also had guest appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, and Farscape, to name but a few. He even holds the distinction of providing the voice to the dastardly "Prince Xizor" from the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire video game. Thanks for all you've done, Nick, and Happy Birthday! [Source: IMDB.com]
Ahem. Sometimes, you lead with what God gave you. A juicy bit of trivia surrounding the late Luan Peters is that the allegedly size of her cleavage was highlighted prominently in studio promotions for a particular crime thriller, a measurement she later denied. But the woman was no stranger to genre, having provided work aboard such projects as My Partner The Ghost, Lust For A Vampire (1971), Twins Of Evil (1971), and a pair of visits to the wide, wide world of the BBC's Doctor Who. Though she's no longer with us, Peters was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
It takes a real woman to play a Cardassian, and the lovely Linda Thorson properly chewed scenery in the guise of 'Gul Ocett' in "The Chase," an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Thorson was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her resume might be thin, Jennifer Richards still managed to squeeze in work in the flesh or otherwise aboard such genre projects as TerrorVision (1986), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Superman: The Animated Series. Richards was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Brian Benben (above right) made an appearance alongside Dolph Lundgren in 1990's fondly remember SciFi B-movie, Dark Angel (aka I Come In Peace). Benben was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though it appears that Dominic Guard has retired from the acting profession, he does have some genre credentials worthy of mention in this space. First, he provided the voice of 'Pippin' for the Ralph Bakshi's animated The Lord Of The Ring (1978), a film that deserved a legitimate sequel to finish out the story. A few years later, he enjoyed a four-episode commitment to the world of Doctor Who. Guard was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Ralph Brown had the good fortune to appear alongside Sigourney Weaver in Alien 3; and, in 2000, he had a brief recurring stint aboard the sci-fi oddity that was Lexx. Brown was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hats off to the lovely and talented Barbara Broccoli -- daughter to Albert R. Broccoli, a name that should be known to spy aficionados -- for keeping alive the James Bond franchise after the death of her father. I realize the franchise is neither SciFi nor Fantasy "proper," but it's always flirted with fantastic elements that fans usually cheer. Besides, it's my party, and I'll cry if I want to ... so I'm featuring her here. Broccoli was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Stephen Marcus was a series regular on both Starhunter and Starhunter 2300 in the early 2000's, but he's also had an appearance on Doctor Who as well as reprising the role of Rudolfo in Starhunter: Transformation. Marcus was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Robin Christopher booked a pair of appearances to the world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fairly early in its run. Christopher was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've always loved Kim Dickens' work (shown at right from Hollow Man). To be honest, she first caught my eye with her performance in HBO's stellar Western Deadwood, and I'm thrilled that she was a big part of AMC's The Walking Dead spin-off, Fear The Walking Dead. She's also had supporting roles in Lost and FastForward that had been quite good. Dickens was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Poor Timi Prulhiere! She had the unfortunate task of serving as the White House tour guide during the invasion that was Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! (1996) She's also scored roles aboard Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman and NightMan. Prulhiere was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Amanda Burke has been sprinkling herself into small roles in such genre properties as Stargate: Atlantis, The X-Files, Supergirl, and The Twilight Zone. Burke was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lisa Barbuscia proved that love was immortal at least when it involves 'Immortals' with her work aboard Highlander: Endgame (2000) for Dimension Films. Barbuscia was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though director Greg Yaitanes is presently best known as the driving force behind one of TV's best red-meat programs today -- Cinemax's incredible Banshee -- he did 'cut his teeth' in Science Fiction with some directing gigs aboard such franchises as Cleopatra 2525, The Invisible Man, Children of Dune, Heroes, and Lost. Yaitanes was born on this day in 1970.
Adam Grimes enjoyed appearances aboard a pair of episodes as part of Star Trek: Enterprise's fourth (and final) season. Grimes was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
You just can't keep a good woman down: years after suffering a cruel fate in her professional acting debut aboard an episode of Mortal Kombat: Conquest, the entirely fetching Alana De La Garza returned to the world of Fantasy with a top role aboard the single season Forever. De La Garza was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she has appeared in many live action productions, lovely Tara Platt boasts an even more impressive resume in voice acting for animated and gaming properties. Genre fans might know her vocal talents from Sailor Moon, Supreme Commander (2007), Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Afterworld, Final Fantasy VIII, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Star Wars: The Old Republic - Rise of the Hutt Cartel, and much much more. Platt was born on this day in 1978.
The resourceful Kristina Klebe recently entered the world of cinematic Fantasy with a role aboard the 2019 reboot of Hellboy for Summit Entertainment. Klebe was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
David Giuntoli has spent more than his share of time shining a little light onto the force of Fantasy darkness aboard NBC's popular Grimm. Giuntoli was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of Ryan Spahn's earliest professional 'gigs' was playing a Borg drone aboard an episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Spahn was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sorel Carradine enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard an episode of Marvel's Runaways for Hulu during its run on the streaming platform. Carradine was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Meaghan Rath brought her winning smile and pearly whites (eyes, that is) to the role of 'Sally Malik' aboard the Americanized adaptation of the BBC's Being Human. Rath was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you haven't yet watched Amazon.com's Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, then consider my encouragement yet one more voice to put you on a path to discover it. Like any anthology series, there are good installments and lesser ones, but Richard Madden headlines a particularly solid chapter involving science and telepathy colliding against a backdrop of social unrest. Madden was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Occasionally when comic book publishers are trying to promote a new property they'll hire a model/actress to help bring the character to life in reality at conventions, TV shows, and the like. In the case of Slickforce Girl, the entirely fetching Melanie Iglesias ably suited up for the pursuit of justice. Iglesias was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mallory Jansen made a home for herself aboard such genre properties of Galavant and Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Jansen was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
When she was but an urchin, Renee Olstead enjoyed a wee role aboard Space Cowboys (2000) for Warner Bros. She also enjoyed a bit of work in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Fantasy flick End Of Days (1999) for Touchstone and Universal Pictures. Otherwise, her resume is full of more mainstream fare. Let's hope she hasn't forgotten her genre roots! Olstead was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
HBO's thrilling Game Of Thrones adaptation has certainly set the bar high for quality in the realm of Fantasy, and Jacob Anderson -- in the guise of 'Grey Worm' -- is just one of hundreds of players who've contributed to that world along the way. Anderson was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
How can you make the dark, soulful eyes of Willa Holland even more intoxicating? Why, you put them under a mask! That's precisely what the showrunners for The CW's long-running Arrow learned, and they've never looked back. Holland was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
Relative newcomer Sean Teale is no stranger to genre projects. He's enjoyed meaty roles aboard Reign, Syfy's Incorporated, and Fox TV's The Gifted. Teale was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
Can you get any more 'Fantasy' than the mythical city of Atlantis? Well, that's what audiences found out on this day in 1951 (in Denmark) when one more look at the supposed island state can to cinemas under the name of Siren Of Atlantis. Based on the novel by Pierre Benoit, the Fantasy film starred Maria Montez, Jean-Pierre Aumont, and Dennis O'Keefe; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A pair of explorers stumble across a lost city in the desert ruled by a mysterious queen."
"A pair of explorers stumble across a lost city in the desert ruled by a mysterious queen."
On this day in 1967, Late August at the Hotel Ozone enjoyed its U.S. theatrical premiere. The Czech-language SciFi/Drama was directed by Jan Schmidt and starred Vladimír Hlavatý, Jitka Horejsi, and Ondrej Jariabek. Here's the premise as cited on IMDB.com:
"A troupe of young women on post-apocalyptic earth are lead around by a mistress born before the war, eventually stumbling into the company of a lonely old man."
For the record:
At present, Late August At The Hotel Ozone is one of those pictures whose original release date appears lost to history. IMDB.com indicates two engagements prior to this one in 1967, but they fail to cite specific dates. In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes watching for more specific data.
"A troupe of young women on post-apocalyptic earth are lead around by a mistress born before the war, eventually stumbling into the company of a lonely old man."
For the record:
At present, Late August At The Hotel Ozone is one of those pictures whose original release date appears lost to history. IMDB.com indicates two engagements prior to this one in 1967, but they fail to cite specific dates. In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes watching for more specific data.
A star is born! On this day in 1977, the SciFi/Telefilm Exo-Man was broadcast to interested audiences. Directed by Richard Irvin, the feature starred David Ackroyd, Anne Schedeen, and A. Martinez; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A professor, who has been paralyzed in an attack by mob hitmen, builds a suit that enables him to walk and fight crime."
For the record:
Sigh. Alas, according to IMDB.com, this TV airing was the project's only release to the masses-at-large. The site also states that the project was intended as a pilot for a genre series; however, no series ever materialized.
"A professor, who has been paralyzed in an attack by mob hitmen, builds a suit that enables him to walk and fight crime."
For the record:
Sigh. Alas, according to IMDB.com, this TV airing was the project's only release to the masses-at-large. The site also states that the project was intended as a pilot for a genre series; however, no series ever materialized.
On this day in 1993 (in Romania), Aliens upped the ante on what was possible in Science Fiction. Written (in part) and directed by James Cameron, the film starred Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, and Paul Reiser; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
On this day in 1993 (in the United Kingdom), Breakfast Of Aliens served up the first meal of the day by way of Science Fiction and Comedy. Written (in part) and directed by David Lee Miller, the feature starred Vic Dunlop, Donald Gibb, and Indy Shriner. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A lovable loser, Walter Clydepepper eats an alien from outer space in his cereal and becomes a deadly stand up comic."
"A lovable loser, Walter Clydepepper eats an alien from outer space in his cereal and becomes a deadly stand up comic."
Well now: doesn't THAT look sparkly? I've yet to see Nemesis I or II so the fact that there was a Nemesis III escaped me perfectly. Written and directed by Albert Pyun, the film starred Sue Price, Tim Thomerson, and Norbert Weisser. However, the synopsis I found on IMDB.com doesn't bode well for my adding the series to my bucket list any time soon:
"Using footage left over from Nemesis 2 and a very thin story line sees Alex again fighting the cyborg mercenaries in 1998 East Africa. This time, Alex finds that she has 20 half sisters who are waiting for her to return to 2077. Central Command wants Alex captured alive and scanned to see if her DNA is a strong and more powerful strain than the normal. But Alex may be too tough for Farnsworth to capture."
"Using footage left over from Nemesis 2 and a very thin story line sees Alex again fighting the cyborg mercenaries in 1998 East Africa. This time, Alex finds that she has 20 half sisters who are waiting for her to return to 2077. Central Command wants Alex captured alive and scanned to see if her DNA is a strong and more powerful strain than the normal. But Alex may be too tough for Farnsworth to capture."
A star is born! On this day in 2005, the SciFi/Telefilm SharkMan (aka Hammerhead) swam before our collective eyes. Directed by Michael Oblowitz, the feature starred Jeffrey Combs, Hunter Tylo, and William Forsythe; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist tries to save his son from cancer but his experiments turn him into a shark-man instead. A group of people from a pharmaceutical corporation are sent to the mad doctor's island to investigate his activities."
"A scientist tries to save his son from cancer but his experiments turn him into a shark-man instead. A group of people from a pharmaceutical corporation are sent to the mad doctor's island to investigate his activities."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "Comet Of Danger." According to the reliable IMDB.com, here's that episode's plot summary:
"A photographer traveling with Tom, Astro and T.J. on a routine mission requests to take close-up pictures of a nearby comet with disastrous results."
"A photographer traveling with Tom, Astro and T.J. on a routine mission requests to take close-up pictures of a nearby comet with disastrous results."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "Marked 'Danger.'" This served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man prospecting in the desert finds a sealed experimental container containing two white mice, and brings them home to his wife before calling the authorities. But when the authorities arrive, the two mice are gone, with only a green residue in the container."
"A man prospecting in the desert finds a sealed experimental container containing two white mice, and brings them home to his wife before calling the authorities. But when the authorities arrive, the two mice are gone, with only a green residue in the container."
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "The Savages." This served as the forty-first episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor urges the Savages to finally bring an end to the Elders' oppression and enlists the help of an unlikely ally."
"The Doctor urges the Savages to finally bring an end to the Elders' oppression and enlists the help of an unlikely ally."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Seals Of Sytron." This served as the thirty-eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Galactor attacks Sytron, the only mining and storage facility of Galactite Hydronium for the entire earth. Galactite Hydronium is the fuel that powers Earth's spacecrafts and holds her forcefields together. G-Force must defend the island and rescue the workers."
"Galactor attacks Sytron, the only mining and storage facility of Galactite Hydronium for the entire earth. Galactite Hydronium is the fuel that powers Earth's spacecrafts and holds her forcefields together. G-Force must defend the island and rescue the workers."
On this day in 1999, Farscape aired the ninth episode of its first season. The hour was titled "DNA Mad Scientist," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A scientist claims to have maps to large parts of the galaxy. And offers the crew a map to get to their respective homes. In exchange for the map, he wants some genetic material, he wants Pilot's arm. How far is the crew willing to go to get back home?"
"A scientist claims to have maps to large parts of the galaxy. And offers the crew a map to get to their respective homes. In exchange for the map, he wants some genetic material, he wants Pilot's arm. How far is the crew willing to go to get back home?"
On this day in 1999, Thunderstone aired "Tau's New Weapon." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by TV.com:
"After deactivating the electro-nets, Noah, Becky and the Nomads decide to visit the Sandtribers. Tao gets permission from the Shadow Master to unleash a new weapon against the Nomads and animals of Haven."
"After deactivating the electro-nets, Noah, Becky and the Nomads decide to visit the Sandtribers. Tao gets permission from the Shadow Master to unleash a new weapon against the Nomads and animals of Haven."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "Never Go Home." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Banning and Dent kidnap a friend of Laura's who is also a 'remote viewer', someone who can 'see' other places from a distance, to try and locate her and Ethaniel. They also visit Laura's parents, to warn them about Ethaniel and about how dangerous an individual he is. If they turn up there Banning gives them his number so that they can come and 'help' Laura."
"Banning and Dent kidnap a friend of Laura's who is also a 'remote viewer', someone who can 'see' other places from a distance, to try and locate her and Ethaniel. They also visit Laura's parents, to warn them about Ethaniel and about how dangerous an individual he is. If they turn up there Banning gives them his number so that they can come and 'help' Laura."
On this day in 2005, it all came down to this: Doctor Who aired "The Parting of the Ways," the season finale for the (restarted) program's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Dalek fleet is poised to destroy the Earth and only The Doctor, Rose, Jack and a band of television producers can stop them."
"The Dalek fleet is poised to destroy the Earth and only The Doctor, Rose, Jack and a band of television producers can stop them."
On this day in 2006, The 4400 aired "Being Tom Baldwin." This served as the second episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Tom Baldwin shoots T.J. in the head during interrogation....or did he?"
"Tom Baldwin shoots T.J. in the head during interrogation....or did he?"
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the seventeenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sandrine and Raine report to Galen with their good news."
"Sandrine and Raine report to Galen with their good news."
On this day in 2011 (in the U.S. and Canada), Outcasts aired the first episode of its only season in televised existence. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Carpathia awaits the arrival of a transporter from Earth. A leader amongst the Expeditionaries wants to break away from the settlement. And a secret lies beyond the gates of Forthaven."
"Carpathia awaits the arrival of a transporter from Earth. A leader amongst the Expeditionaries wants to break away from the settlement. And a secret lies beyond the gates of Forthaven."
On this day in 2013, Dark Horse Comics released a massive hardcover collection for Star Wars: Legacy, John Ostrander's look into the future of the Skywalker family about 100 years after the time of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. If you haven't seen it, check it out, as it's very highly rated!
On this day in 1950, The Shadow radio serial aired an episode titled "Corpse In A Straw Hat." Unfortunately, the details of this adventure are lost to history as I've been unable to find a plot summary on the internet.
